Solving A Stove That Can’t Get Flush To The Wall: 4 Tips

Are you frustrated that your stove is sticking out from the wall? Would you like your range to be flush with your cabinets? If so, there are probably a lot of questions running through your head. It is true that there is a lot to consider when you are placing your appliances.

First, you need to make sure that your stove is supposed to be flush with the wall. There is a chance that your stove might not need to be flushed. Furthermore, if your stove is sticking out too far, the most likely problem is that there was a gas line that was attached to the stove. It is also possible that your stove might not be level. 

So, is there something you need to do with your stove to place it properly? Do you need to adjust your range to fix this issue? We have done a significant amount of research to try to address this problem for you. So, take a look at what we have found, and make sure you do everything you can to improve the situation with your stove!

How Much Space Should There Be?

First, even if your stove is sticking out a little bit, this might not necessarily be a problem. You need to check the amount of space between your stove and the back wall to see if you need to do anything.

In general, there should be approximately two inches of space between the back wall and a slide-in range, regardless of whether this is gas or electric. Therefore, you should check and see if you have a drop-in or a slide-in range. 

On the other hand, if you have a freestanding range, you should not have any space between the range and your back wall. Even though it is not necessary for you to place it flush, it is usually flush when it is installed. Therefore, if you have a free-standing range, it can be flush.

Finally, you may need to measure the amount of space between your stove and the sidewall if your stove is in the corner. There should be at least a foot of space between your closet wall and your stove.

Now that you understand these measurements, it is time to read on! Let’s see if we can figure out why your stove is sticking out from the wall. 

#1 Check the Gas Line

The first thing you should do is take a closer look at the gas line running to your stove. If you have a gas range, there is a chance that someone may have had to shift the stove slightly to install the gas line on your stove. If they did not shift the stove back entirely, this could be the reason why it is sticking out.

Therefore, take a closer look at the back of your stove. See if you can locate the gas line. Then, check the amount of space between the stove and the back wall. If it looks like they did not put the stove back after installing the gas line, you have solved your problem.

You simply need to shift the stove slightly to put it flush with the wall once again. Remember that if you have a slide-in range, you’ll need to leave at least two inches between your stove and the back wall after you push it back. 

#2 Check To Ensure the Stove Is Level

If your stove is still sticking out after taking a look at the gas line, you will need to make sure the stove is level. There is a chance that there could be something wrong with one of the legs of your stove, causing it to lean slightly. This could give it the appearance of sticking out from the wall. 

If you are having a hard time figuring out if the stove is level, you may want to simply put a level on top of it. Of course, your stove should be level. If it is not, you need to figure out why. 

The first thing you should do is take a look at the legs. It is possible that one of the legs could be cracked or warped. If that is the case, you may need to replace the leg of the range to get your stove level again. You may need to take a look at the manual to figure out what type of legs your stove has. 

If there is not a problem with the legs of the stove, the next thing you need to do is take a look at the floor underneath the stove. Stoves are heavy, and floors are not perfect. There is a chance that a portion of your floor could be cracked or bent. 

If that is the case, you will need to replace that portion of the floor to get your stove level again. Once you have done that, push the stove back into place. Make sure it is in the right location relative to the wall. Then, you should notice that your stove is level and no longer sticking out.

#3 Consider the Door

If your stove is still sticking out from the wall a bit, you may want to take a closer look at the door to the oven as well. Even though this is an unusual problem, there is a chance that the door to your oven is not sitting flush with the frame. This could give the impression that the entire appliance is sticking out from the wall.

Of course, you need to skip this step if your stove does not have an oven attached. You may want to try cleaning the edge of the frame to make it easier for your door to sit flush with the frame. You might also need to adjust the hinges slightly. If all of this fails, you may need to replace the door gasket or the entire door itself.

Now that you have considered all of these possibilities, it is time to take a look at a few factors you need to consider when you are moving your appliance.

#4 Other Factors To Consider

As you are moving the range around, there are several factors you have to keep in mind and make sure you put it in the right location. That way, it not only looks good but functions well also. A few factors to consider include:

Think About the Back Wall Gap

First, you need to think about the space between the range and the wall. If you have a gas model that slides into place, you need to have a gap to leave space for the gas line. Usually, the line comes in through the floor, but there is a chance that it may come in through the wall. Then, it will attach to the back of the range.

The connector for the gas line of a slide-in range sticks out a bit, so the range needs to stick out approximately two inches from the back wall. Make sure you leave enough space.

If you have an electric stove or range, there is no gas line to worry about. On the other hand, you still need to leave approximately two inches of space between the stove and the back wall. This is important for making sure the electric stove has room to vent itself appropriately.

If you have a free-standing stove, you can put them right up against the wall if that is what you prefer. A freestanding model is much better at ventilating heat and there is no protruding gas connector. Therefore, you don’t have to worry about leaving space for this.

Freestanding models power themselves using power cords. Therefore, all you have to do is plug them into a wall socket. You don’t necessarily need to put a gap between them and the rear wall to get the power cord plugged in. 

Do Not Overlook the Sidewall Gap

If there’s a sidewall that is relatively close to your stove, the gap has to be a minimum of 12 inches. Regardless of the type of stove or range you have, it is important to leave a foot of space. There is a significant amount of heat coming from the cooktop, and the gas flames or heat from the electric coils can create a serious threat if they are too close to a sidewall. 

Furthermore, you don’t want to have any oil or grease splashing on the sidewall, as this can be difficult to get off. This is why a lot of people put a counter on either side of the range. That way, they don’t have to worry about putting the stove too close to a sidewall. 

Think About the Refrigerator

Finally, you also need to think about your refrigerator. If your kitchen is relatively tight, then you may be concerned that the stove is going to be too close to the refrigerator. This is important not only for convenience but also for safety purposes.

You should make sure there are at least 15 inches between your stove and the refrigerator. This is important because you do not want the heat coming from your stove to damage the sidewalls of the refrigerator, which could impair its ability to work properly. If you have space to do so, you should put a counter between your stove and refrigerator. 

Make Sure Your Stove Is In the Right Spot

These are a few of the most important factors you need to consider if you want to make sure your stove is in the right location. Even though you might want your stuff to be flush to the wall, this is not necessarily the best spot for it. You need to think about the type of stove you have and how it operates.

If you are having issues placing your stove, you may want to consider the door, the legs, and the gas line. Remember to reach out to a professional if you have questions.